Scarborough boss Neil Thompson is relishing tonight's LDV Vans Trophy trip to the Britannia Stadium, believing the players have a great chance to prove themselves against the big-guns of Stoke City.

"This is a great game for us and if we can't get ourselves motivated for it there's something wrong," Thompson said.

"We're playing a team two divisions up in a great stadium and it's a good opportunity for us to pit our wits against them and see if we can compete.

"Opportunities for Conference teams to play in stadia like this don't come along too often and we should not let it pass us by."

The Potters have won just once in seven games, with their 8-0 Worthington Cup hammering by Liverpool last Wednesday coming a week after a shock 1-0 defeat by Conference outfit Nuneaton in an FA Cup first round replay.

And Thompson, who is likely to stick with the side that won 1-0 at Hednesford on Saturday - Boro's first victory in 11 matches - added: "It can go two ways for them.

"We could get the backlash or they could not fancy the game, but we've got to approach it positively and not be overawed."

Scarborough (probable): Priestley, Betts, Rennison, Ellender, Thompson, Stoker, Williams, Ingram, Pounder, Brodie, Diallo. Subs: Gildea, Faure, Brunton, Toone, Woods.

Meanwhile, Boro have been drawn away to UniBond League outfit Runcorn in the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, January 13.